New Jersey Medicaid Waivers & Home and Community Based Programs Overview

New Jersey, known as The Garden State, has a well-developed Medicaid Waiver and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) system designed to provide long-term care alternatives for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions.

Administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS), and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the state’s Medicaid waiver programs allow eligible individuals to receive services in their homes or community settings instead of institutional facilities.

Key waiver programs include the Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Waiver, which provides personal care, assisted living, and behavioral health support for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and the Supports Program Waiver, which offers employment, habilitation, and residential services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Additional programs include the Community Care Program (CCP) Waiver, which provides extensive long-term support for individuals with IDD, and the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver, which assists individuals with brain injuries in achieving independent living. New Jersey also offers Self-Directed Services, allowing waiver participants to hire and manage their own caregivers.

Regulatory oversight in New Jersey is managed through DHS, DMAHS, and DDD, with additional provider licensing and compliance enforcement by the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) and the Division of Aging Services (DoAS).

The state operates under a Managed Care model, with HCBS services coordinated through New Jersey FamilyCare’s Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to enhance service delivery and cost efficiency. New Jersey has also implemented Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for personal care services, ensuring greater accountability and fraud prevention in home-based care programs. Providers must navigate Medicaid enrollment, waiver-specific service authorizations, and strict quality assurance measures to successfully participate in the state’s HCBS programs.

With a strong focus on community-based care, person-centered planning, and integrated service models, New Jersey’s Medicaid waiver system ensures that individuals receive high-quality, sustainable long-term services while promoting independence, dignity, and full inclusion in their communities.

---

Explore Policy and Procedure manual for licensing and certification for your state Medicaid Waiver and HCBS programs here.

Browse Policy & Procedure Manual for This State's Programs and Services